Wednesday, March 20, 2019

It was a rule that the player who lost in previous game should be a judge in next game.

And the winner was to clean the table.

pencil, watercolor crayon, 18 x 25 cm

Last Sunday the 120th Seoul Billiards Federation President's Cup game was held at the SL billiards club located at Nonhyeon-dong. The atmosphere was very quiet compared to the senior game which I participated in last winter. Young players were sincere and their poses looked smart. I began sketching from 1 to 5 am. From time to time I watched their nice game fascinated by the players' strokes. Just looking those high level plays gave me a great deal of learning. And I felt that I should keep drawing more and more for better lively lines and impressive description. There will be a big game there on March 31 too. I hope to go there again!

Friday, March 15, 2019

Two days ago I got on a subway no. 3 at Bulkwang station. As soon as I took a seat I could see a young family (from China, maybe) with a kid on a pram. Instantly I took out my sketch paper and started to draw them wishing them to go together at least for several stops. They did as if they heard my wish. I began with a gel-pen and finished with pencil. Because babies move fast in usual cases I captured her at first after drawing her mother's contour. After minutes she moved into her mother's lap and his sleepy brother could have a sweet sleep in the pram. Subjects with kids must be drawn rapidly for their incessant movements. It gives tension to a sketcher compared to the sketching old people. On the coming home I drew the three women who seemed to be friends. Similar clothes, scarves, hair styles, and bags may look somewhat monotonous, But I could feel comfortable in their round personalities who've been living with their utmost efforts.

Monday, February 25, 2019

Monks and congregators starting the service in praying hall, pen and watercolor,

(21 x 29.6cm)

Scene in the process of the rite, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

After the first(symbolical washing the late souls and making them to hear the Buddha's words) and second(paying respects and praying to Buddha) procedure the chief monk, Buban, thanked for the cooperation of the believers for the new painting and other projects in the temple. pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

The third step was undergoing. Participants prayed eternal peace in paradise of their ancestors, family members, friends or anonymous, nameless souls bowing and devoting with clean water. pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

Another scene of the third step of the rite, pencil and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

The last step of the rites for the deceased. pencil and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

Yeonhwadang(연화당) in the temple for the deads. The burying tradition was changed into the cremation one. Families visit there from time to time missing them. pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

I sketched the scene of the cinerarium outdoor. pen and watercolor crayon,

(29.6 x 42cm)

Banyajeon(praying hall /반야전) where the service was held on, under which on first floor there are rooms for the temple stayers. pencil and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Entering the temple people could meet the two story Bell tower building(범종루),

pencil and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Mokjeong cave(목정굴), a historical space for praying. The stone cave has been loved by people since the King Jeongjo(1752-1800) of Joseon dynasty, pen and watercolor,

(29.6 x 42cm)

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Last Saturday, I visited Geumsunsa temple to join the Cheondo-jae(천도재) that is a ceremony offered for the deceased.

At the time of the founding of Joseon dynasty royal monk Muhak established this temple, Geumsunsa, nearly 600 years ago. The temple locates in Gugi-dong, Jongno-gu, in front of the beautiful Bukhan mountain not far from downtown Seoul. So some climbers drop in to take rest having lunch and noodle served by the temple on Sundays except cold days.

In old days Korean people had been paying services for their ancestors on their anniversary annually and on the new year day and thanks giving day. Though it's symbolical for the descendants to spread foods and fruits on ceremonial table for their ancestors we've been remembering them through generations. These days some families substitute the service with paying mass or christian service. And the new generation changes the food or fruits according to the present popular ones. In the service the names of the late ones are set on table. The names written on paper are substituted with photos nowadays.

On the wall over the painting lots of names are attached on a panel. At the last step the monks and congregators walk all around the praying hall together in a row and move to the furnace. We burn the names of the late souls wishing them to go to paradise. Participants bow praying their favorites' eternal peace.

Hearing that there would be a special service for the late ancestors. I decided to participate in it and to draw the process. It was not easy to see the process in detail because I had to take seat back of the room not to hinder others. I could get several by others' generous understanding about sketching but I added watercolor at home. If I had known about the process well enough to capture more in detail other scenes would be drawn in different views.

In spite of the difficulty of the environment for sketching it was worthy to be in the process of rite for parents and to draw at the same time.

Yesterday there was a special praying event to pray the peaceful rest of the ancestors. It was held to celebrate the finishing of the new big painting of seven buddhas at Banyajeon(praying hall). Lots of believers participated in the ceremony. It kept for three hours. During the service I drew two between bowing and reading ceremonial texts.

After having delicious lunch I did one seated on bench under warm sunlight. The air was really fine. I could feel the coming of spring. Though I didn't much I enjoyed the most wonderful atmosphere of the temple in Bughansan.

Thank you, Leeky, for joining to such special event! We were pleased so much by your being together.

Because I didn't draw many yesterday taking rest I add the previous drawings I'd done before as follows.

Every temple would be decorated by colorful lanterns on Buddha's birthday. I go there to celebrate and enjoy the beautiful scenery in spring season.

Ansimdang under construction

Though the scale of the temple is not big the nice features of big and small rocks make great scenery. I did this one with pencil.

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